Bicycle, chandelier, iron, kettle, hair dryer… The list is not a list of items to visit the thrift store, but only a small part of the items taken out of Lake Sevan and and the rivers flowing into Lake Sevan. These items were displayed at the exhibition entitled "The Second Life of Waste" held on July 15. 2021, in Artsvanist Community, Gegharkunik Region. It was implemented within the framework of the COVID-19 response program "Rehabilitation of Coastal Areas in Armenia" jointly implemented by GIZ, RA Environment Ministry and RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.
In April, May and June, 253 residents of Tsakkar, Lichq, Artsvanist, Lusakunq, Khachaghbyur, Karchaghbyur, Martuni, Nerkin Getashen, Geghovit and Vardenik Communities, Gegharkunik Region, took part in clearing works on of the littoral areas of the rivers flowing acress their community areas and then into Lake Sevan: as a result, 229,364 kg of garbage and 283 kg of waste subject to recycling were collected, which was transported to appropriate recycling plants.
Within the framework of the project, the residents of the mentioned 10 communities participated in training courses on waste sorting, as well as their recycling and secondary use. The exhibition also featured items made from waste collected by locals, as well as photos of the clean-up process.
In addition to the cleaning works, willow cuttings were planted in the coastal areas of the rivers flowing into Lake Sevan in cooperation with the ATP Charitable Foundation. In her conversation with EcoLur, Project Manager Alla Berberyan said that 520 thousand willow cuttings have already been planted within the framework of the program launched in late 2020. "We will plant trees in the fall. We aim to reach the target of one million," she said.
In addition, the program, which runs until December 2021, envisages clearing the banks of the rivers flowing into Lake Sevan in other communities. "We will carry out clean-up work in other areas as well, increasing the emphasis on sustainability, there will be new ideas and measures aimed at sustainability, educational events and awareness raising," she said. Alla Berberyan expressed hope that the results of this extensive work carried out by the residents will be lasting. "We have to make sure that the cleaned rivers remain clean," she said.
Touching upon the socio-economic component of the program, Alla Berberyan mentioned that it is aimed at mitigating the socio-economic consequences of COVID-19 in Gegharkunik region. "Apart from solving environmental problems, the program provides income for the locals, they have been paid for the cleaning and planting," she said. According to her, about 100 residents who took part in the trainings to get a new resource from household waste have acquired new skills to earn money.
To the question when we can talk about the results of the program, the regional coordinator of the program, Head of "Blejan" environmental, social, business support NGO Liana Asoyan outlined, "We will achieve the final result when we do not need such measures. When we do not pollute our territory anymore! We must be so responsible for our nature that there are no such occasions.”
At the end of the event, the residents of the beneficiary communities participating in the project cleaned the shoreline of Lake Sevan. The project was supported by "ISSD" Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development of Communities NGO.
July 16, 2021 at 18:52